Job Title: Social Worker Responsible to: Director of Care Accountable to: Clinical Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Responsible for: N/A PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: As Social Worker, you will be instrumental in delivering compassionate care to patients with life-limiting illnesses and providing essential support to their families. Working within the Clinical Multi-Disciplinary Team, this role ensures that safeguarding practices are at the heart of patient care across all Hospice services. You will be a key figure in enhancing patient experiences through complex case management, and the coordination of safe and efficient discharge processes for both in-patient and day therapy patients. DIMENSIONS & LIMITS OF AUTHORITY: Ensuring compliance with legislative standards with regards to safeguarding procedures and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) assessments. Accountable for decision-making within scope of role and managing a complex caseload. Financial accountability related to social work resources for care planning and service delivery. Reports to the Director of Care MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Social Work & Patient Support • Assess patients’ psychological, social, and emotional needs and develop tailored, person-centred care plans with the MDT. • Coordinate care planning and discharge meetings to ensure safe and efficient transitions, involving patients, families, and carers in all decisions. • Support bereavement groups and provide direct support to carers and families, fostering emotional resilience during terminal illness and bereavement. • Advocate for patients and families, ensuring their rights are upheld and facilitating access to necessary social and healthcare services. Safeguarding & Compliance • Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, such as the Wales Interim Policy, HIW, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and DoLS. • Conduct safeguarding investigations and risk assessments, coordinating with authorities to address concerns and ensure patient safety. • Develop safeguarding protocols, train staff, and monitor adherence to best practices and legislative changes. Collaboration & Advocacy • Serve as a key member of the MDT, ensuring patients’ social and emotional needs are integrated into care plans. • Collaborate with external agencies to ensure seamless care for complex cases and advocate for patients in challenging situations. • Support patient-centred care by actively participating in case conferences and discharge planning meetings, bringing social work expertise to improve patient outcomes. Education & Professional Development • Design and deliver social work training to staff and external partners, enhancing service quality. • Engage in continuous professional development, keeping up-to-date with legislative and best-practice changes. • Contribute to reflective practice and quality improvement initiatives, supporting the integration of safeguarding across all Hospice services. Service Development & Quality Assurance • Participate in service reviews, audits, and data collection to assess and enhance the quality of social work services. • Support strategic development of social work within the Hospice, identifying service improvement opportunities and implementing changes. • Promote patient feedback to inform service enhancements and represent the Hospice in multi-agency forums related to palliative care. Health & Safety • Ensure a safe working environment by adhering to health and safety policies, conducting risk assessments, and addressing any incidents or breaches in collaboration with the Health & Safety team.